Stadium Update and JR

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

I put Radio Sheffield on this morning to find out why I was stuck in traffic (AGAIN).  Interesting that their main story was regarding the future of the stadium.

There wasn't anything really new in there IMO but it did clarify some things.  The mayor was on stating how much he wanted rid of it and that councils should not run stadiums, which is probably a fair point.  He also stated he couldn't close the thing as they had a Championship football club with a fixture list to fulfil.  Now take that as you want it could be construed two ways, could they close it at the end of the season once our obligation is met?  I doubt that will happen but the mayor was very keen to get rid of the costs it seems.

Then JR came on live.  That was interesting and he was pretty forthright in what he had to say about the terrible running of the stadium and the barriers he has faced, basically spoke a bit of how wrong they got everything, including not letting him into the stadium one day.

Crucially on the club's role and the stadium he made some interesting points.  He commented on how the mayor and him know what's needed but that the actual council and the SMC are a big barrier in the transfer of the stadium.  Too much beuracrucy (I can't spell that word) by the sounds of it within the council that are putting up barriers.  He did then say he was convinced we'd be running it very soon, but that the deal has to be right.  Like he said we may get it for nothing but if that comes with huge debts it's not really nothing is it? Sounds to me like JR will play hardball on this and surely it's his hand to play?  Sounded positive where the club is concerned in terms of running the stadium, so should put to bed doubts from a few on here that this will go ahead in good time.  Positive to me that JR is working to get the right deal.  He was then asked if his enthusiasm had waned and if he could see himself leaving, sounded very much like that wasn't the case, but he did appear pissed off with those he's negotiating with.

Worth a listen it was on radio sheffield at about 5 past 8.